Tarheels Abroad

TARHEELS ABROAD ONCE AGAIN

So the Tarheel nomads are on the move again. This time (thankfully!) returning to our very own apartment. While it has been in many ways like a move, and the goodbyes have not been easy, it is also in a very real sense going home.

Our flights went well with no significant delays or difficulties (aside from Joy temporarily losing her Kindle--but that's another story). The twelve (count them, 12) pieces of luggage all made it to our destination at the same time! Almost unheard of but oh so nice.

Friends and neighbors welcomed us back. Our first three weeks back have been filled with visits and reuniting with those we've not seen in a year. We found several meals in our freezer : ) and have been invited over for dinners on multiple occasions--what a wonderful blessing not to have to cook each meal! And I'll have to admit that we've made liberal use of the fast food at-home delivery services here (yes, even BK and McD's deliver!). Its been a whirlwind of activity, but on several occasions, we've had to just make ourselves stop with all the moving-back-in work so we can enjoy visiting with our friends & neighbors or just have some quiet family time.

Our apt is starting to settle down and resemble a home. We've unpacked the 12 trunks. And the 8 large boxes that were kept in a storage facility all last year. Then the wardrobe and under bed storage filled with all kinds of stuff we wanted to get out of everyone's way this past year. Given away old baby clothes, toys J & E consider too babyish now (it's amazing how grown up their tastes have become in just 10 months ; )) and stuff we just don't need. Sort of a summer-time spring cleaning.

Getting over jet lag and trying to get into a semi-normal routine of waking, meals and bedtimes. Adjusting back to a mostly un-airconditioned world. And that's not as bad as it might sound. True, the heat does sap energy, but open windows and fans sure help with the electric bill. And energy conservation. We've been so thankful for relatively cool, breezy evenings too!

Then the process of re-setting up utilities (so glad Jason does all of that--it is NOT as simple as you might imagine), updating bank info, beginning the process of registering Jacob for school. Replacing our washing machine that died this past year. Replacing our tv that was as good as dead when we left. Replacing chairs that are falling apart. Replacing the fuse that was fried and cut off electricity to both bathrooms and Jason's desk area. Taking care of a minor computer crash. Shopping for all kinds of odds and ends we have been discovering at somewhat inopportune times that we were out of (ie, salt, soap, markers, chocolate chips, window cleaner...: ))

Between Jason's outdoor workouts and his bazillion errands out in this hot, muggy weather (walking, public transportation) that he feels like one big sweaty mess. The upside is that he is now in incredible shape!
: )
And...we're trying to transform our guest room/office into a classroom for Elijah's kindergarten year. Not much space, but it's beginning to shape up. For now at least, all the school/craft materials have been sorted and labeled. Desk & chair set up. Electrician scheduled to add electrical outlets next week. (only possible to plug in two things without an extension cord--and only on one side of the room). Sometime later, I can begin putting up visuals and decorations. That will be the fun part!

The boys have enjoyed reacquainting themselves with long-forgotten toys. And picking back up with friendships--both English and Turkish. Jacob's language skills are slowly starting to come back. And Elijah seems really interested in starting to learn. Elijah's favorite outdoor activity has been climbing in the tree in our courtyard (I about choked when I saw how high up he was the other day--we've had to set a height limit for our little monkey). Jacob's favorites have been playing soccer and hide and seek in the parking lot area around our building. Yesterday, the boys and I spend several hours at the park with some of our dearest American friends in the city. We all came home sweaty, tired, and very happy. : )

Looking around the house, it doesn't feel like we've accomplished much these past three weeks. But I guess we have. I need to write a list like this more often just for my own sake so I don't get discouraged. ; )

We hope to post updates much more often than we have during our US time--so we'd love it if you drop by here from time to time and see what's going on with our crazy wonderful nomadic life!

Lewis Family June 2011
What a blessing from God!
And somewhat of an amazing event to have all of the kids even semi-faced towards the camera. Lots of personality in this bunch. : )

Ashford family June 2011
What a blessing to all be in one place at one time! Goodbyes are so hard, but are so much sweeter when we think of the blessing of having a wonderful family that is well worth missing! : )

First backyard Easter egg hunt for the boys. Found all of them except two. Jacob was playing soccer a little later, the ball hit a tree and one of the missing eggs fell out. One still missing...

Happy Easter from Jacob!

Happy Easter from Elijah!

Happy Valentines Day, Aunt Betsy!

Jason took the boys Christmas shopping so they could pick out presents for me. Elijah chose this magic wand because "girls like these."

For me: crossword puzzle, notepad and MAGIC WAND (from Elijah) and scented candle, trail mix, and a BAG OF ROCKS from Jacob.

Christmas morning, the boys insisted that WE open our presents first! We wanted to affirm them for their desire to give before they received...and so Jason suggested that we do just that. They were so delighted with what they had bought for us with their own money. For Jason: a Braves t-shirt. See next two photos for my gifts.